Department of Justice

Guilty Verdict Against Essex County, New Jersey, Man for Possessing Firearm as a Previously Convicted Felon

NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark, New Jersey, man was convicted today by a federal jury of possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Lucas Sumler, 42, was convicted of possessing a firearm despite his previous conviction in U.S. District Court in New Jersey. Barr was convicted today following a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial, on March 25, 2016, Sumler, was found in possession of a .357 magnum revolver along with six rounds of ammunition.

The charge of which Sumler was convicted carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2017.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George P. Belsky, along with the Newark Police Division and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty verdict.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Jonathan W. Romankow and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Raney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.